I'm Back

[Tushawn]

Well, I bought my 2006 Mazda 5 Sport (automatic) back in July of 2005 and went through the heat shield recall. So after 9 years, 82,000 miles, 3 kids, mountain bikes, hunting gear, more 2 by 4 s than I can count, trees, shrubs, flagstone etc., etc., it's scratched, dented,rusty, and slightly smelly inside and out.

Despite all of this I still love driving this car!

I am back because I am in the midst of a poorly funded midlife crisis. Rather than buying myself a hot hatch or motorcycle I am going to try to make my 5 little quicker and a little cooler on a tight budget.

Any advice from the veterans out there? Within the last few months all of my struts have started to leak, so I was considering lowering it? Opinion? Thanks.

Tushawn

 

[90210]

Check out the suspension forum..lots of great info on lowering... though I say get the hot hatch!!!

 

[Tushawn]

Depending on what the next Mazdaspeed looks like, I may go for a GTI 4DR. That will be down the road, right now I have to focus on getting the 5 back in shape, and doing some fun things with it. This is my most recent picture...

 

[tuanies]

Turboooooo

 

[sac02]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123841829-2013-Mazda5-turbocharger-installation

Could be done for little over $3k if you're stingy.

 

[Tushawn]

Turboooooo

I was thinking, k & N cold air intake, h&r sport springs, Kyb struts, magnaflo exhaust, computer chip.

 

[90210]

Do suspension. Its the best bang for the buck.

I am a hot hatch person, and eagerly awaiting the next MS3. As much as I adore the GTI, don't want to deal with constant nagging VW problems.

 

[Tushawn]

Do suspension. Its the best bang for the buck.

I am a hot hatch person, and eagerly awaiting the next MS3. As much as I adore the GTI, don't want to deal with constant nagging VW problems.

That does scare me about the GTI, unfortunately part of my hot hatch criteria is an automatic transmission for the wife. Our nearest Mazda dealer is about an hour away, the VW dealer is down the block.

 

[90210]

^^
That makes a difference, agreed!

For me auto trans negates the hot hatch experience, but that is just me!

Good luck

 

[Clicky]

^^
That makes a difference, agreed!

For me auto trans negates the hot hatch experience, but that is just me!

Good luck

The dsg transmission on the gti is really good. It isn't your standard automatic. I have a mkv gti and really like the dsg because most of the time I can drive it easy, but when I want to drive spirited, I can use the paddles. Also since I am not the only one driving it, the auto is way more convenient.







Sent from my LG G Pad 8.3

 

[90210]

^^I like the DSG and the PDK and agree with you they are fantastic. However, I don't want to deal with VW rest of the problems that come with ownership.

So for my my MS3 replacement will be the new MS3 vs the Focus RS if it comes this way. Might give the SS Sedan manual trans a try.

 

[Clicky]

^^I like the DSG and the PDK and agree with you they are fantastic. However, I don't want to deal with VW rest of the problems that come with ownership.

So for my my MS3 replacement will be the new MS3 vs the Focus RS if it comes this way. Might give the SS Sedan manual trans a try.

Guess I have been lucky. I have had my gti for over 8 years and it has been to the dealer twice. Once to install launch control and once to replace a broken pcv, which was replaced for free even though I wasn't in warranty. And the pcv damage was probably because I was chipped.

The dsg does require a fluid flush at 40k, which is expensive.

Sent from my LG G Pad 8.3

 

[90210]

^^^
Seems like your VW has been exception to the rule!

 

[Kojack]

Don't bother with "performance" mods to the 5, you don't get any gains from them. I would do some suspension work, lowering is great unless you live in a snow area or crappy roads, then avoid lowering. You can still do upgraded shocks, use the 2012 springs, MZ3 sways and call er a day.

 

[Tushawn]

The cold air intake and exhaust don't improve it's performance? Many years ago I had a 5.0L mustang and those modifications made a noticeable difference.

 

[Rally Man]

The cold air intake and exhaust don't improve it's performance? Many years ago I had a 5.0L mustang and those modifications made a noticeable difference.

I've never read on here someone making both intake and exhaust. But don't do just the intake, because you'll loose on the low end for the upper end and our cars need more lower end power. I'm sure you'll see some gains if you do both, but like I said, never read anyone doing it on this forum.

 

[Kojack]

The cold air intake and exhaust don't improve it's performance? Many years ago I had a 5.0L mustang and those modifications made a noticeable difference.

On a mustang 5.0 yes, those modifications do make a difference. just not on small 4 cyl engines. Same with my integra. same with my 5. you may gain a HP but you will loose torque and you don't want that.

NO point comparing a stang v8 to your 5.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The cold air intake and exhaust don't improve it's performance? Many years ago I had a 5.0L mustang and those modifications made a noticeable difference.

Welcome to modern day engineering where everything is electronically controlled. Older V8s are notorious for begin overly restricted where I/H/E does do wonders. Unfortunately this ain't no V8. CAI/SRI all have trade-offs. Not worth it unless you want added butt dyno. That is priceless and not available stock

 

[Tushawn]

Damn, I thought I was going to do a bunch of bolt ons and gain 10-15 horsepower. Do the drop in K & N filters help at all?

 

[Tushawn]

I've never read on here someone making both intake and exhaust. But don't do just the intake, because you'll loose on the low end for the upper end and our cars need more lower end power. I'm sure you'll see some gains if you do both, but like I said, never read anyone doing it on this forum.

Doesn't Magnaflow make a header and cat pipe?